You don’t need feathers to fly. You just need faith, truth, and the right kind of story.

That’s the quiet power at the center of Oh My! I Can Fly!, the heartwarming new picture book by Michele Gajdzis. On the surface, it’s a charming tale about a small bird named Barry who dreams of flying. But underneath the simple language and colorful characters lies a deeper message: each of us is created for a purpose, and discovering it is part of the adventure.

Barry doesn’t look like much when we meet him. He’s featherless, lonely, and stuck in a cage high on a mountain. He watches other birds soar and sighs, “I wish I could fly just like them.” Already, children reading this story will feel a tug of familiarity. Who hasn’t looked out at others doing amazing things and wondered, “Why not me?”

The genius of Gajdzis’ storytelling is in how she builds a world that reflects a child’s inner journey. Barry’s cage isn’t just made of bars—it’s made of doubt, fear, and the sense that he isn’t enough. He believes he’s broken or missing something; when in truth, he just doesn’t know who he is yet.

That’s when the helpers arrive.

First comes Wally, a radiant parrot who brings Barry his first “Promise Feather”—a glowing blue feather with gold writing. Wally doesn’t explain it. He simply tells Barry to wear it proudly and whispers, “Time will tell.”

Every day, Wally returns with another feather—red, green, yellow—each containing a mysterious message Barry can’t yet read. Each time, Barry asks what the feathers mean, and each time Wally replies, “Time will tell.”

It’s a beautiful echo of how children grow. They receive love, guidance, and encouragement, even if they don’t always understand its value in the moment. Parents and caregivers offer words like “you are strong” or “you are brave,” hoping one day the child will believe them. In Barry’s case, those golden letters will eventually come to life.

Soon, other birds join the mission. Kenny Bird, a majestic eagle, arrives to train Barry in the discipline of flying. He shows him how to move his wings, how to stay determined when things are hard, and how to believe in himself even when it hurts.

And then there’s Harmony Bird—a cheerful yellow canary who doesn’t offer feathers or lessons, but something just as vital: music. Her songs are full of hope and joy, and her voice stirs something deep inside Barry. At first, he isn’t sure how Harmony’s singing can help. But soon, he’s singing along—and something incredible starts to happen.

Barry’s mountain begins to shake. His cage begins to sway. And just as their voices rise together in joy, the cage door breaks open.

This moment in the story is magical and symbolic. Barry’s freedom doesn’t come from brute force or cleverness—it comes from connection, love, and joy. It’s a powerful message for children: your breakthrough might come from something as simple (and profound) as believing in the words spoken over you.

Even after the door opens, Barry is afraid. He hesitates. He tells his friends he’s not ready. But then, he remembers the feathers. One by one, he reads the words inscribed in gold:

HOPE. STRENGTH. JOY.

And suddenly, it clicks. These weren’t random gifts. These were tools, building blocks of identity. The feathers weren’t just decorations—they were truths. And they weren’t given to him because he earned them, but because he was loved.

That’s the heart of Oh My! I Can Fly!: the idea that identity is something we grow into, not something we have to prove. Gajdzis shows children that their dreams aren’t foolish, their fears aren’t failures, and their value isn’t measured by how high they can fly—but by the truth of who they are.

Barry isn’t just a bird anymore. He’s an eagle. And once he knows that; he soars.

Gajdzis dedicated this book to her granddaughters, but its message reaches much farther. It’s for every child who feels like they don’t quite fit in. Every child who’s still growing their feathers. Every child who needs to hear that “someday” is coming, and they’re not alone while they wait.

Oh My! I Can Fly! is a rich resource for parents, educators, and ministries. It opens doors for meaningful conversations about self-worth, courage, friendship, and faith. It encourages children to name their dreams and to trust the process of becoming who they were created to be.

The final lines of the book tell us that Barry, now a beautiful eagle in the sky, helps others find the same hope, strength, and joy that once set him free. It’s a full-circle moment that brings deep satisfaction—and a spark of inspiration.

Every child who closes this book will feel a little braver. A little lighter. A little more ready to stretch their wings.

So next time a child says, “I don’t think I can,” hand them this book and remind them: Oh my… they were always meant to fly.